At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

Wow! I don’t know how people do that vacation thing every year! I need a vacation to recover from my vacation! I’ve been home for a week and I’m still exhausted. Hiking around the desert was fantastic, but I feel it in every cell of my body. Plus there was all that stress expecting to fall out of the sky at any moment for what seemed like endless hours, and that just adds to my general cell fatigue. I gave myself a stern lecture this morning on how I better shape up (or ship out, as my Navy father would have said).

So, in the spirit of shaping up, I have all kinds of perfectly delicious festival news. The fall festival starts September 14 and runs through the 27th. Gala night will be wonderful as always but I can’t tell you what films we have for opening until Jeffrey books that night. I can give you a tentative list of wondrous films, a number of which are comedies, by the way, for those who felt that I had booked to many somber films in the spring. Okay, here’s the tentative (underline that word) list. Lady Chatterly (gorgeous, gorgeous adaptation by a French director of one of the most sensuous books of the last century), The Namesake (about how hard it is for the children of immigrants to be torn between tow worlds, My Best Friend, Vitus, La Vie en Rose (for all those who didn’t get to see it in the spring), Once (a musical), Sicko (needs no introduction), Valet, Black Book, Away From Her (with the aging and still breathtaking Julie Christie), The Golden Door, Crazy Love, Paris JeT’aime, and either Into the Silence or Rescue Dawn which, although playing as a commercial film is directed by a man who does art films (yeah, go figure). So, what do you think? Pretty good list, wouldn’t you say? I’ll tell you all about each film in the weeks to come.

Next week Esther will have printed up the gala night tix. Don’t forget to get them right away. I tell you all that each time, but some of you don’t listen (now, you know that’s true, Mmmm hmmmm. Fess up, now) and then you don’t get to come. I’ll tell you about the gala movies next week, I promise.

And then, another completely wonderful and special festival week event. On Sunday, September 23, we will have a special showing of The Sidewalk Astronomer and then at 7:00, John Dobson, the real, live sidewalk astronomer, will be with us to lecture and answer questions. HOW COOL IS THAT?????????? More on that later.

So, off my favorite subject – festival – and on to the movies at hand (or, from the sublime to the…er…whatever). We are opening The Simpson’s Movie this Friday and although I don’t count myself as a big Simpson’s fan, I have to say that the trailers are very funny. The audience really laughs each time we show it. So come for a light night of fun with America’s favorite cartoon family. Or, if you’re in the mood for darker and more substance, Harry Potter is still with us. We figure by now the kiddies have finished the book and will be looking to see our Harry another time or two. Bring them on down to see the boy wizard and have some good popcorn. What a good way to pass some time on the weekend.

We have two spaces left for Charlee Ganny’s writing workshop. Then it’s done. She’s going to talk about writing what you know, critique some first pages of WIP’s and answer your questions. Then at 2:30 Charlee will have a book signing of her latest paranormal romance which takes place in beautiful downtown Noxen. (yeah, honest.)

So, one more thing. Guess what my kid sister did last week? She had a story accepted by Woman’s World. Yup, she really did! She’s such a good writer, and someone has finally acknowledged that fact. They get thousands and thousands of manuscripts every year, and they choose fifty-two. And hers was one of the fifty-two. How’s that for totally super?

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Last week Margie and I went to visit the Dietrich’s Mehoopany satellite location during Art of the Susquehanna summer camp. In this camp, students created art that is inspired by the river. While we were there students were learning how to make clay bowls on the potter’s wheel. It was great to see the kids concentrating so much as they made their bowls.

And you should have seen the nature journal students made in Everhart Explorations. Students learned about some of the science exhibits the Everhart has and about the scientific method. This Saturday we will be taking our annual bus trip to the Everhart Museum in Scranton. This is one of my favorite events. We go on a private tour of the museum, have lunch in Nay Aug Park and then have time to explore more of the museum and park. I always visit the Gorge and I can’t wait to see the new tree house that I have heard so much. It is a great family day trip - lots to do and see, and it is so close to home. I recommend it.

On that same Saturday, the Dietrich will host a writers’ workshop Your Novel: Writing What You Know from 12:30 - 2:30 pm with local published author Charlee Ganny. She has had several works published and is a great source of knowledge about writing, finding an agent, positioning your book to be sold and more. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich to sign up at 996-1500. Then at 2:30 pm, Charlee will be available to talk about and sign her latest novel “Careful What You Wish For” (pen name Lucy Finn).

And the Dietrich has two special events coming up in August. For music lovers, we will be hosting Gathering of Singers and Songwriters 6 on Wednesday, August 15 at 7:30 pm. Margie and I can’t believe this is already the sixth year. Folk musicians featured in this year’s concert include: Kate and CJ, Lorne Clarke and Tom Flannery. What makes this concert so fun is the banter and stories the musician share between songs with each other and the audience. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at the Dietrich Theater ticket booth or by calling 570-996-1500.

Our own Esther Harmatz is directing two short one-act plays that will premier at the Dietrich Theater on August 17th and 18th at 7:30 pm. Written by New York City playwright, Joe Barone, these plays provide thought provoking entertainment that borders on light comedy of the absurd. Mr. Barone will introduce the plays “Sandspots” and “What You May Need is a Gun”. He will also be available to answer questions following the performance. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 570-996-1500.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Acting Camp for Kids, ages 6 -11

Use your wonderful imagination and learn all about acting and theater. Activities covered include acting techniques, theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, play making, character creation and more! Students will create their own characters and stories while learning how to act and how much fun theater is. A casual performance will end the week if time allows.

Camp 2: Monday - Friday, August 6 - 10 from 1:00 -2:30 pm.

Admission $50 per week.

Instructor: Michaela Moore of All About Theatre

Ahoy Matey! Pirates and Treasure: Theater and Visual Arts Camp -Filled

Come find hidden treasure and learn the ancient secrets of pirates! Go on treasure hunts, make a pirate costume (boy or girl...yes there were girl pirates...)and make up your own unique play about...you guessed it - PIRATES! Come aboard our ship for a week and join the fun! For ages 5 -12.

Monday - Friday, August 6 -10 from 10:00 am - noon.

Admission: $50

Instructors: Michaela Moore and Amy Colley

Ballroom Dancing for Kids, ages 12 and up.

Learn how to do the merengue and swing dance in this five week introductory ballroom dancing class for kids.

Thursdays, August 2, 9, from 10:00 - 11:30 am

Admission is free. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Instructor: Connie Kintner

Decorative Painting for Adults - Summer

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm through August 29.

Admission: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Everhart Explorations, ages 5 - 8

Make it a scienterrific summer! Discover facts, features, and fun in the world around us. From atmosphere to illusions, experimenting with the Everhart has never been so exciting!

Mondays, July 30. Ages 5-8: 10:00 -11:00 am.

Admission is free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo